Mine workers are being reminded to stay focused behind the wheel after a haul truck came within 700mm of colliding with a grader at an open-cut mine in New South Wales.
According to the NSW Resources Regulator, the haul truck was travelling to a loading unit when the operator approached the crest of a haul road and saw a grader carrying out maintenance work ahead.
The operator applied the truck’s retarder and then the service brake in an attempt to stop. The truck subsequently skidded uphill for about 50m before coming to a halt just short of the grader.
The regulator said the truck was estimated to be travelling at 55km/h and that the operator reacted about 50m from the grader despite having around 400m of visibility of the machine.
An investigation found the operator was not paying proper attention to the task and may have been distracted, resulting in a failure to reduce speed on approach to the grader and maintain the required safe passing distance.
“The investigation of this incident identified the importance of sites having procedures in place for the safe watering of roads and for workers to correctly apply those procedures, which reduced the severity of this incident,” the regulator said.
As part of its response, the regulator verified that the ramp and haul road complied with the site’s roadway standards. Workers were also required to attend the area to observe and discuss the incident before the scene was released.
The site has been directed to review and update its Roads and Other Vehicle Operating Areas (ROVOA) procedures following the incident.
In its industry recommendations, the regulator encouraged mine operators to review its Surface ROVOA technical reference guide, particularly guidance relating to training and competency, equipment operation within design parameters and the use of in-vehicle systems to monitor behaviour.
The regulator said equipment operators must prioritise the safe operation of machinery, remain focused on the task at hand and exercise particular care when working around other mobile plant. Mine operators should also ensure speed limits are clearly defined when working around equipment and regularly assess whether speed monitoring systems are required.
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